San Gorgonio football routs Indio with dominant ground game

SAN BERNARDINO — With a strong effort on both sides of the ball, the San Gorgonio football team remained unbeaten in nonleague play, routing Indio, 42-18.

In a dominant performance, the Spartans (3-0) rolled up 479 yards of offense (403 rushing), while holding the Rajahs (1-4) to 204.

San Gorgonio junior running back Reshawn Holmes could not be contained, rushing for 277 yards and three touchdowns. He rushed for 143 yards on just nine carries in the first half, scoring from 44 and 28 yards out. Holmes put a stamp on his performance with his first touch of the second half – a 68-yard touchdown run. Six of his 17 carries covered at least 20 yards.

Splitting running back duties with Holmes was senior Daron Tyson who rushed for 100 yards on six carries.

"They're like thunder and lightning," San Gorgonio head coach Chris Chaddick said. "Reshaun runs with violence. We have Anthony Rucker who can punish. Those two softened the defense up so a guy like Daron, who is all pretty with his speed, can beat you there. It's like (former USC standouts) LenDale White and Reggie Bush."

San Gorgonio is averaging more than 38 points per game, which has helped them start 3-0 in consecutive years for the first time since the 2014 and 2015 seasons.

"Terrific job by our offensive coordinator Gary Hedlund," Chaddick said. "To have almost 500 yards of offense and over 350 on the ground is hard to do."

Countering the offensive effort, the Spartans' defense held the Indio running game to 65 yards, and 139 passing yards (52 of those coming on a screen pass on the opening drive). The Spartans have held their opponents to 16 points per game.

Leading the San Gorgonio defense was junior S'aire Daniels, who had three tackles for a loss, including a sack, before leaving the game before halftime with an apparent knee injury.

"It was a great collective effort for everybody," Chaddick said. "S'aire left it all out on the field. He was dominant in the time he was in."

No sack was bigger than one in the closing seconds by junior Steven Nguyen, as his team cheered his name loudly from the sidelines after the tackle.

"Steve is an AP class kid we picked up," Chaddick said. "He's not the greatest athlete, but the kids love him because he shows up and does the dirty work in practice so when he gets in and gets his glory it's just awesome. He is our Rudy."

San Gorgonio will look to replicate its 4-0 start from 2023 next Friday against run-oriented Cathedral City (2-2), something the school has not done in consecutive seasons for a decade.

"To see the stands full again and see everyone having a good time and see kids running around in the back of the end zone, that means the world to me," Chaddick said. "Spartan-born, Spartan-bred, I'll love the Spartans 'til I'm dead."